A Real Gem

You may not recognize Mark Loren as one of Southwest Florida’s leading jewelers. Relative to other major players around here, he advertises modestly: a billboard, a few print ads, nothing particularly splashy.

Yet Mark Loren Designs has become, over the past 20 or so years, the go-to jeweler for custom creations, repair work and ready-to-wear contemporary designs. Even in a struggling economy, his Fort Myers retail gallery continues to thrive.

Sales are up 8 percent from last year, which he attributes to several factors. About two years ago, Loren moved his shop from a strip mall to a stand-alone building in a more visible location down the road. With the new location, he says, came new customers.

Loren doesn’t carry many of the big-name designers found at retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue or Congress Jewelers. Such high-end designers require those that carry their lines to buy new inventory every year or so, regardless of market conditions. By contrast, Loren has six or so designers who can simply remake the jewelry that doesn’t sell, keeping inventory low and the designs fresh.

Another boost for his business: The price for gold has risen, while his cost of labor has stayed the same.

Finally, his company can take gold and diamonds on trade—among other services that corporate chains don’t offer. The small, independent retailer is as multifaceted as the gleaming diamonds in its trademarked toe rings.

A Crowd Pleaser

Mark Loren Designs’ diversity of services and wares has proven good for business in any economy. In addition to consignment sales, he repairs and recreates sentimental heirlooms. He also designs contemporary pieces with unusual gemstones for the store’s jewelry cases.

Loren’s interest in unique fossils and minerals appeals to customers looking for something exotic, something you can’t find in conventional jewelry stores. Currently for sale: a Jurassic-period fossil for $28,500.